Hristo Stoitchkov

One of Bulgaria’s most successful football player ever Hristo Stoitchkov celebrates his birthday today. The name of the Plovdiv- born Bulgarian is deservedly known through all over the world. Stoitchkov earned his glory bringing the Spanish giant Barcelona to four consecutive titles in the Spanish championship and won the European title in 1992. It was Barcelona that he won the European Championship and the Super Cup with. Some of the honors Stoitchkov got are being the football player of Europe according to France Football, number two player according to FIFA and first in the continent according to the Onze Mondial magazine. He led the team to win the Championship of the Spanish Primera Division four years in a row ('91-'94). At the World Cup in USA in 1994 Stoitchkov was the person to lead the national Bulgarian football team to the unexpected success. Hristo became top scorer of the championship and the very same year he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best football player of Europe. He was rewarded for being the best Bulgarian football player of the year 4 times (a record) - 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992. He is honored with the Stara Planina medal for the achievements at the same World Championship (1994). Kamata (the dagger), his nickname, was a phenomenal player and the most awarded Bulgarian football player. He is considered to have been one of the best forwards in the world football.